Essential Oil Roller Recipes

There are so many benefits to incorporating essential oils into your routine. While diffusing essential oils is great for lifting your mood and freshening up your space, essential oil rollers are great for treating common ailments. They’re also great for aromatherapy!

In this article we’ll cover the basics of how to use essential oils as natural remedies. We’ll discuss how to make roller bottles, and even share a few of our favorite essential oil recipes. 

What Are Essential Oils? 

Essential oils are oils extracted from plants. When you hear about “lavender” essential oil, the oil is taken directly from the lavender plant. Essential oils are used for aromatherapy and as a natural cleaning agent, as well as a natural remedy. Essential oils have grown in popularity in recent years as people have become more and more interested in natural living. 

Essential oils are popular in natural remedies. Speaking of, have you tried our homemade cough drop recipe? What about our fire cider and elderberry syrup?

Where to Buy Roller Bottles

Roller bottles are a popular tool for essential oils enthusiasts for applying oils topically. The bottles are typically glass with a roller attached, which can be removed to be filled up with healing and fragrant oils. 

Roller bottles can be found at most stores that carry essential oils. Check out your local health food store or craft store to get started. Or, order some online. 

The Importance of Carrier Oil for Roller Bottles

One of the easiest mistakes to make when making essential oil roller bottles is to waste essential oils and to make unnecessarily potent ointments. In fact, applying extraneous amounts of essential oils to your skin can cause irritation. That’s where carrier oils come in. 

Carrier oils are neutral, skin-safe oils that dilute the potency of your essential oils. Carrier oil to essential oil should make up about 4:1 of your roller ball. Make adjustments as needed. Popular carrier oils are: coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, olive oil, baby oil, and rosehip oil.

How to Sterilize Essential Oil Roller Bottles

Before making essential oil roller bottles, be sure to sterilize your bottles. Here’s what you need to do: Place jars in a pot of boiling water for five minutes. Remove from water, and set to dry. Sterilizing your jars ensure that they are skin-safe and not carrying anything funky on them from a previous blend. 

What You’ll Need

• roller bottle
• essential oils 
• carrier oil*

*carrier oils to choose from: coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, olive oil, baby oil, and rosehip oil.

How to Make Essential Oil Roller Bottles

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Pick out which carrier oil you’ll use and set it aside. Decide what essential oil recipe you’ll use. Is it for aromatherapy? Is it for a certain ache or ailment? Place needed essential oils aside. 

Step 2: Sterilize Your Jars 

Follow the steps above to sterilize your jars. Easy method: simply boil the jars in water for five minutes. 

Step 3: Add 30 Drops of Essential Oils & Fill to the Top with Carrier Oil  

Now, use a dropper to move the essential oils into your bottles. Add about 30 drops of essential oils to your jar. Fill the rest of the jar with carrier oil and return the roller and lid to your jar. Shake until combined. 

Step 4: Apply as Needed & Enjoy!

Now that you’ve got your roller ball made up, use as needed. Apply topically or use as aromatherapy. Once you’ve made up one, you’ll get hooked. Experiment with other remedies and recipes. 

Our Favorite Essential Oil Roller Recipes

Congestion Relief

When dealing with achy sinuses and sniffles, blend essential oil with ravintsara and a carrier oil. Apply directly to your sinuses to open up your nasal passages. You can also apply to your chest. 

• 15 drops Breathe
• 15 drops Ravintsara
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Burn Relief

To treat burns and irritations, apply this essential oil roller blend to skin. Mix lavender with tea tree and frankincense. 

• 10 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Frankincense
• 10 drops Tea Tree
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Anxiety 

When facing a stressful situation or feeling a bit anxious, this roller blend will help ground you. Use it as aromatherapy by placing it on the insides of your wrist and breathing in. 

• 10 drops Serenity
• 10 drops Balance
• 10 drops Wild Orange
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Headache

My mom always had peppermint on hand for headaches. However, applying it directly onto the skin can cause a burning sensation, especially in the eyes, which is why making a diluted roller bottle is a great way to tackle headaches. Apply to your forehead and temples, avoid close proximity to the eyes. 

• 15 drops Peppermint
• 15 drops Chamomile
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Stomachache

For a belly ache or indigestion, essential oils are a great natural remedy. Blend peppermint, ginger, and fennel with a carrier oil and apply directly to the aching area. 

• 10 drops Peppermint
• 10 drops Ginger
• 10 drops Fennel
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Pain Relief

For discomfort and aches and pains, having a roller bottle on hand is very helpful. Apply this essential oil recipe topically as needed. 

• 15 drops Wintergreen
• 15 drops Eucalyptus
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Immune System 

When sickness is going around, try this immunity boosting recipe. Rub it along your chest, back, throat, and even the soles of your feet. 

• 10 drops Thieves
• 10 drops Ginger
• 5 drops Peppermint
• 5 drops Lemon
• 8 ml. carrier oil 

Tips for Making Essential Oil Roller Recipes

How do you mix essential oils for rollers? 

Combine your essential oils and carrier oil directly into the bottle and give it a firm shake. 

What is the ratio of essential oils to a roller? 

Start out with 25 drops of essential oil per roller bottle. Most roller bottles are about 10 milliliters. Add more essential oils if desired, but bear in mind that the potency will most likely not increase the effectiveness of the oils. 

What is the best carrier oil for essential oils? 

Jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are best for skin nourishment and also because they are unlikely to solidify as coconut oil might. 

How many drops of essential oil do you put in a roller ball? 

Most recipes suggest about 20-35 drops of essential oil. Some essential oils, like Peppermint, Wintergreen, and Tea tree are especially harsh on the skin, so exceeding this number is not recommended. However, for roller balls for aromatherapy with floral and citrus essential oils, it is okay to experiment with increasing this number.